Zlatko Dalic, a 59-year-old coach from Livno, Yugoslavia (now Bosnia), has a proven track record in the UAE, having previously managed Al Ain from 2014 to 2017. During his three-year stint, he led the team to 83 victories, 40 draws, and 32 defeats, achieving a 62% win rate. He also won three titles, including the 2014/2015 Arabian Gulf League, the 2015 UAE President's Cup, and the 2015 UAE Super Cup.
Olé reports that Dalic's new challenge will be to lead the UAE national team back to the World Cup after a 40-year absence. The team's last World Cup appearance was in Italy 1990, where they lost all three group stage matches. Dalic's appointment comes after he left his position as Croatia national team coach following their elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Croatia has appointed Slaven Bilic as their new national team coach, marking his second stint in the role. Bilic previously managed the team from 2006 to 2012 and will aim to convince Luka Modric to continue playing for the national team.